HALOTHANE IN OBSTETRICS: ELECTIVE CAESAREAN SECTION

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Abstract
One hundred elective Caesarean sections have been performed on selected patients using halothane narcosis combined with suxamethonium paralysis. Anaesthesia was induced with the thiopentone-atropine-suxamethonium sequence and maintained with halothane in oxygen. The dose of halothane used in the first 50 patients ranged from 200 ml of vapour a minute for the first 4 minutes down to 30 ml of vapour a minute subsequently. In the second 50 patients the dose-range was from 150 ml of vapour a minute for the first two minutes down to 10 ml a minute subsequently. The latter dose-range did not cause significant foetal depression as judged by the Apgar system, nor did it inhibit uterine contraction and retraction. The oxytocic effects of ergometrine and Syntocinon were not antagonized, though the latter drug appeared to be much more efficient. The narcotic dose of halothane did not cause cardiovascular depression and did not prevent the adrenergic responses of the cardiovascular system to surgical trauma.

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